Stephen Worgu, a highly-rated Nigerian footballer who plays for a Sudanese
club, has been sentenced to 40 lashes for having consumed alcohol.

Happier times: Stephen Worgu shows off his new shirt after signing for Sudanese club Al-Merreikh in December 2008Photo: AFP

5:43PM GMT 11 Nov 2009

Worgu, 20, who plays as a striker for first division club Al-Merreikh of Omdurman, Khartoum's twin city, was found guilty on Tuesday of drinking alcohol and driving under the influence.

An east Khartoum court condemned the young footballer to 40 lashes and ordered him to pay a fine of 50 Sudanese pounds (£12) for the alcohol consumption and 200 Sudanese pounds (£48) for driving under the influence.

Worgu, who signed a contract with Al-Merreikh in 2008 and has represented Nigeria at under-20 level, had been apprehended in the Sudanese capital on August 21.

Article 78 of the penal code forbids alcohol consumption.

"It's not 100 per cent certain that he is guilty," a club official said, adding that Worgu's lawyer had already launched an appeal.